Monday, September 28, 2009

If your team starts with New you are doing well. I watched a lot of football this weekend to up my skills for the column. Once again this is just one man's opinions. Enjoy. The teams previous ranking will be displayed now.

1. New York Giants 3-0 (3) - Giants D shut out the Bucs in Tampa. They don't have a true #1 WR but no one seems to notice or care. Manning is spreading around the ball and they have a great one-two RB system with Jacobs and Bradshaw. They haven't played anyone great yet, but they still come in at #1 for me.

2. New England Patriots 2-1 (10) - Patriots beat out good Atlanta team 26-10 at home. Is Fred Taylor the feature back now? The team still has a lot of questions but they still just win. Should be a good test coming up at home vs. Baltimore.

3. New York Jets 3-0 (6) - Jets keep proving that they can win. The really remind me of last years Ravens team. Ravens ran, had a rookie QB, and a great D, hmmmm sound like the Jets? They were down against Tennessee and came back for a win. SO far they have played the hardest teams. Great game coming up against New Orleans. What wins out Jets D or Saints O?

4. Baltimore Ravens 3-0 (9) - Ravens beat up on the Browns to a tune of 34-3. When did this team get an amazing offense!? Could be a surprise (yet way early) AFC champs. Next week @ Patriots will show us how far they really have come.

5. Minnesota Vikings 3-0 (1) - Took a miracle last second catch to beat a 49ers team that was minus Frank Gore, yet they did win. Favre looked pretty weak unless you count his masterful skill at throwing 2 yards and having his teammate make it a big play. Watching them this week made me less impressed. Up next at home vs. Green Bay. Hey didn't Favre used to play for them?

6. New Orleans Saints 3-0 (2) - They drop with a win because why they beat a pretty good team on the road, the offense stalled a tad. Pierre Thomas showed he was still a RB and had a monster game. The D was pretty impressive and if they handle the Jets next week they are sure to be higher on the next list.

7. Indianapolis Colts 3-0 (4) - Peyton Manning and company go into Arizona and just crushed the Cardinals. There defense was getting to Warner on just about every play. Any team that has Peyton Manning is sure to be pretty good.

8. Philadelphia Eagles 2-1 (7) - Getting a win against Kansas City wasn't huge but a much needed win. They team was without McNabb and Westbrook yet still put up 34 points. An early bye week coming up could be just what the doctor ordered.

9. San Francisco 49ers 2-1 (11) - Excuses can be made for that last second loss, but it happened. Something tells me the 49ers will go against Singeltary's wishes and use this one as a moral victory. If they could just get a tad better on offense...look out. Should bounce back (even without Gore) next week at home vs. St Louis.

10. San Diego Chargers 2-1 (12) - Nice win at home over the Dolphins. Something tells me if this team can put it all together they could be really good.

11. Atlanta Falcons 2-1 (5) - Big drop here, they didn't hang with the Pats as long as I thought. They are still a good team. They have a bye week then visit San Francisco.

12. Chicago Bears 2-1 (15) - Nice road win for Cutler and the Bears. Having to travel all the way to Seattle and beat the Seahawks in a close game feels pretty good.

13. Denver Broncos 3-0 (14) - You beat the Raiders you only get to move up one spot, its the rules! But there D is still holding up. Have only given up 16 points the entire year!

14. Cincinnati Bengals 2-1 (22) - Huge jump up for the Bengals! Way to go! You guys beat the Steelers at home, not bad guys! I was pretty shocked that they won. If you take away the one play this team is 3-0, wow.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers 1-2 (8) - A last second loss on the road drops them quite a bit. Never thought they would have a losing record this year...but stranger things have happened. It doesn't get easier with the Chargers coming into town next weekend. They still have too much talent to be bad for long.

16. Dallas Cowboys 2-1 (16) - No move this week Cowboys. You beat the Panthers at home but it wasn't pretty. Romo looks average so far.

17. Green Bay Packers 2-1 (18) - At least you guys could beat the Rams! I have a feeling they will be one of those teams that makes most games close every week. They can beat up on their former legend QB next game.

18. Buffalo Bills 1-2 (13) - The offense couldn't get much going against the Saints vaunted D, oh wait nevermind. Did TO complain yet? Come on, we all know it will happen.

19. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-2 (27) - They had a close, high scoring victory, over the Texans this week. Next up they play Tennessee, it should show a better measure of their skills.

20. Houston Texans 1-2 (20) - This team still scores a lot, Matt Schaub can put up some good numbers. Oh yeah that D? Giving up an average of 28 points a game. Might need to address that.

21. Tennessee Titans 0-3 (21) - Suffered a tough loss on the road vs a good Jets team. I am still not sure how they can be 0-3. I still think they will bounce back. Does Collins need to be benched in favor of the younger Young?

22. Arizona Cardinals 1-2 (17) - Were those fans in Arizona wanting Mr. Leinart to play? Is Warner looking as old as he should? Didn't they have an offense line last year?

23. Detroit Lions 1-2 (30) - THEY WON!!! I wouldn't say it was the best win ever, but a win is a win especially when you didn't win at all last year. Good job Lions. I think they might at least win a few more this year.

24. Seattle Seahawks 1-2 (24) - Those jerseys! Oh my god, I thought the tv was off when I saw those. They were two missed field goals away from having a tie. Maybe those jerseys screwed up Mare, who was called out by his coach on national television. Did I mention the jerseys???

25. Miami Dolphins 0-3 (23) - I just heard they lost Chad Pennington for the year. They still have some talent but something tells me they won't be coming close to last years record.

26. Washington Redskins 1-2 (19) You drop when you lose to the Lions, that's just the way it goes. I didn't know things were going this bad in Washington. Playing the Bucs next week will get them back on track for 8-8, I can feel it.

27. Carolina Panthers 0-3 (25) - This was the team that won 12 games last year? They scored just one TD against the Cowboys D. I did see AJFeely roaming the sidelines, I would look into that.

28. Oakland Raiders 1-2 (26) - I was looking to place them lower after a beating by the Broncos, but the teams below them are much worse off. So you got that going for you Raider fans! Russell has a 22.9 QB rating, I think if I went out there a threw an incomplete pass I would have a higher ranking. Think they should have held onto Jeff Garcia?

29. Kansas City Chiefs 0-3 (28) - Matt Cassell, this isn't New England. I feel scared for them next week vs. NY Giants.

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-3 (29) - Well you got shut out at home against the Giants. I cant find any positives, I tried.

31. St Louis Rams 0-3 (32) - Good job Rams! No longer the worst team in my rankings and you more then doubled your total points on the year from 7 to 24! Holy cow! Marc Bulger got banged up and Kyle Boller came in and threw two touchdowns.

32. Cleveland Browns 0-3 (31) - True they have played some good teams...Vikings, Denver, and Baltimore who are all 3-0. I would cut them some slack but they seem to lack any direction. They bench Brady Quinn so Derek Anderson comes in and throws 3 INT. I say go with the 3rd string QB Brett Ratliff.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Frank Gore goes out on the first play of the game....just before half time the 49ers are showing nothing on offense and Minnesota is about to kick a field goal to go up 16-7....but then the 2009 Niners showed up, Singeltary's 9ers. We then blocked the field goal and get the game back for us. Vernon Davis and Shaun Hill stepped up. Glen Coffee did all he could with what he had to work with.

At the end I wanted to scream, I wanted to break something, I cursed Farve for not retiring and choosing whatever team he wanted to come back with (again). But after I calmed down I realized that we just almost beat one of the best teams in the NFC, possibly the NFL and this was in Minnesota, a tough place to play. Farve for all his dump off passes is still an all time great QB and I guess if we had to get beat at least we left it all out there, we lost with 2 seconds left, some sort of miracle catch, and its over....we lost.

I am realizing that this is not the end of the world because we now play with some purpose, look out St Louis...this team is going to be angry next week, but more so hungry for their next win, their next mission, this year is going to be special. GO NINERS!!!!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

I sort of inherited this column from my brother, I will try to do him justice because I really enjoyed his rankings. I will try to keep it up every three weeks or so but alas no guarantees on that. So here is one guys thoughts on the rankings.

1. Minnesota Vikings (2-0): I know they have only played the Browns and Lions but both on the road and they have all the tools to be a great team this year. Next up, home opener against the 49ers. It will determine for both teams how good they really are.

2. New Orleans Saints (2-0): Saints can score some touchdowns if you haven't heard! Brees looks like he will set some sort of QB record this year. Mike Bell came out of nowhere to be the starting RB. They have handled Detroit and Philly (on the road). Up next a tougher match up against the Bills.

3. New York Giants (2-0) Plaxico who? This team is rolling on just fine and finding they have some talented WR in the wings. The D is still one of the best, and some clutch play by Manning against Dallas makes them 2-0. Up next is @ Tampa Bay, look for 3-0.

4. Indianapolis Colts (2-0) Two close games the loss of their second WR and yet the Colts sit pretty at 2-0. Well not too pretty, both games they won were close but they still managed to win them both. Plus they have that Manning guy, he is kinda good. Up next they are @ Arizona, should be a fun game.

5. Atlanta Falcons (2-0) Something tells me Atlanta will be atop this division come the end of the year. Matt Ryan looks for real and adding the best TE in the game helps! Big game up next @ New England will show me how for real this team really is.

6. New York Jets (2-0) Jets have beat Houston on the road and New England at home, is Mark Sanchez the next Big Ben? So far so good. Jets D is coming alive so far and they control the clock and run a lot. I am skeptical of how good they really are but so far they look really good.

7. Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) I still think this team has way too much talent not to win a lot of games. Right now having your #1 QB and RB being hurt doesn't help! When McNabb gets back they should start rolling again. Oh and if you haven't watched sportscenter in the last few seconds Michael Vick is back. They should get a W this week against the Eagles.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-1) A tough loss last week in Chicago puts them in the loss column early on, I think they still have a lot going for them. I do wonder about their RB situation though, but they also had troubles there last year and still won it all.

9. Baltimore Ravens (2-0) Nice win at San Diego, but aren't they suppose to be a defensive team? They are averaging 25 points against in two games so far. Flaco looks like he could be something special but they should establish who the #1 RB is, they have like 3 guys who could start (McGahee, Rice, and McClain). At home against Cleveland looks like a 3-0 start.

10. New England Patriots (1-1) I know they have struggled early on, a miracle fumble lead them to beat the Bills and they lost out bad against the Jets in NY. But why do I have them high? Because they are still the Pats and I think they have way too much talent. Brady is still getting used to playing with pads on, it may take a while to get started but once they do, watch out!

11. San Francisco 49ers (2-0) Beating the NFC champs on the road was nice and showing everyone that the Seahawks looked good because they played the Rams was nice. The teams D is looking like it could be the best they have had in years. I think Singletary will be coach of the year if he keeps the team up.

12. San Diego Chargers (1-1) What happened to their D last week? They still have a ton of weapons and are showing they can score with out or without LT, who is looking much older. They almost lost to the Raiders, I think there coach is what brings down this team. I say he will not last very much longer. Up next is the Dolphins at home.

13. Buffalo Bills (1-1) They could be one fumble away from 2-0 but it didn't happen. They can score a lot and all this without Lynch at RB. Maybe they found a new RB in Fred Jackson? This team seems like they can beat anyone if they wanted to, but they also lack something.

14. Denver Broncos (2-0) Sean, you say...this team is 2-0! Why so low? Well yes they have only let up 13 points so far. They have also only played the Browns and Bengals, and they won on some miracle catch. Buuuut the the defense looks good and they play the Raiders next so it is possible they go 3-0, I just do not think they are all that good..yet.

15. Chicago Bears (1-1) DA BEARS! They beat the super champs at home and looked good. Still not sure how good they really are. Forte is struggling so far.

16. Dallas Cowboys (1-1) An easy win in Tampa and a last second loss against the Giants. This team could be really good, its really hard to tell. I think Tampa is pretty bad. They should shoot up in the rankings if they can handle the Panthers, but Marion Barber could be out.

17. Arizona Cardinals (1-1) They looked pretty bad in week 1 and then bounced back in Jacksonville and Kurt Warner set the record for passing completion %. I am not sure what to make of this team yet, they still are working to see if they are anything like last year.

18. Green Bay Packers (1-1) So they beat Chicago and then lose to the Bengals, at home? WTF? I have no idea if this team is good or not yet.

19. Washington Redskins (1-1) Oh Redskins can we just end the season and say 8-8 right now? Wow you handled the Rams @ home 9-7, up next the Lions. Think you can get double digits?

20. Houston Texans (1-1) I never realized how much talent this team has on offense until I watched the highlights last week. Andre Johnson, Steve Slaton, Owen Daniels, Schaub...they can sure put up some points. So why only 1 TD in week one?

21. Tennesse Titans (0-2) But they don't even have a win! Why did you rank them so high? Because they lost to the Steelers and were like a Collins fumble from coming back on Houston. Not sure what is going on with this team but coach Fisher will have them back and winning soon.

22. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1) This team could be one deflection away from 2-0! So they beat Green Bay in Lambeau, wow that's pretty impressive. Antwan Odom has 7 sacks in two games, he had 5 against the Packers alone! Wow who is this guy? Did anyone else know they have S Roy Williams (former Cowboy Pro Bowler) ? I just found out. Lets see how they do against the Steelers this week.

23. Miami Dolphins (0-2) This team can run that wildcat to perfection. They still have loads of talent on D and Ronnie Brown has pretty much returned to form. So why 0-2? They played Atlanta and Indy for one reason. Up next they play in San Diego. I bet they wish they could get that last place schedule they has last year back!

24. Seattle Seahawks (1-1) They looked pretty bad last week in San Francisco. It doesn't help that they lost Matt Hasselback to an injury and let Frank Gore go off for two runs of 80 yards.

25. Carolina Panthers (0-2) Starting off against Philly and Atlanta wasn't very nice. The talk of the town is how they should have addressed the QB need in the off season, possibly will in next years draft. I would have gone after Jeff Garcia or Vick if I was them. Next week they play Dallas.

26. Oakland Raiders (1-1) Yep, you are reading this correctly the Raiders are 1-1! Good for them. I actually think their head coach is pretty good (when is not punching out his assistant coaches). Russell looks like a bust..but he still has some talent, where did it go?

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) They played Arizona and Indy so they have at least played some good teams. I guess they are still in a funk from last year. I am not sure why this team is bad yet I haven't looked too much at the team yet.

28. Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) Losing at home against the Raiders had to hurt. They stuck around with Baltimore for the first week but it all went downhill after that. I still think Thigpen is a good QB. Not sure how the Matt Cassell experiment will go.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-2) Something tells me this will be a long season for rookie head coach Raheem Morris, who is younger than half his team.

30. Detroit Lions (0-2) Lions are not on the bottom of this list! Woo hoo, its a moral victory for them. Kind of a tough start to the year for a team who didn't win a GAME last year. New Orleans and Minnesota, ouchbay! They have average 20 points a game though and Stafford can throw. They have more upside this year.

31. Cleveland Browns (0-2) Maybe I am being hard on the Browns. They did give up 37 points to the Vikings and 27 to the Broncos. Those teams are not too bad. I think Brady Quinn is not the answer.

32. St Louis Rams (0-2) They have one touchdown in two games. Yes one. They have been outscored 37-7 in two games and they play Green Bay next. It could be a long year for you guys in St. Louis, at least you have the Cardinals...go Pujols!!!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

You basically won the game for us today. Thanks for showing me and all the other fans around me in Candlestick Park today that the niners have changed somewhat and are now being lead by a coach who knows what he wants and will stick too it. Oh and the 207 on 16 carriers was pretty bad ass!!!

Also glad to see Ronnie Lott, Jerry Rice, Eddie DeBartolo Jr, Joe Montana, and Roger Craig around the stadium to honor DeBartolo at halftime. All in all thanks for the great game and proving me right (so far!).

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

What I said: . Everyone is saying the Cardinals will be better then last year...I am not one of those people. I think this game will be very close and could come down to some last minute turnover. I am going to go out on a limb and say the 49ers shock the Cardinals at home and upset the NFC Champions.

It is nice to be right every once in a while. I love all the newspapers saying the win was ugly, If thats the truth I hope this is the butt ugliest season ever and we make the playoffs looking like two dollar whores

Saturday, September 5, 2009

I did this last year and predicted an 8-8 record for my niners, even though I at first said 7-9 (the record in which the actually finished). So like last year I will go game by game and give my reasons for why I think they will win or lose and a final score prediction, I know its basically impossible to predict these games but it is always fun to look back and see how close I was.

Week 1

@Arizona - 49ers played the Cardinals very well last year, and a yard or two separated them from a crucial win @Arizona last year. Everyone is saying the Cardinals will be better then last year...I am not one of those people. I think this game will be very close and could come down to some last minute turnover. I am going to go out on a limb and say the 49ers shock the Cardinals at home and upset the NFC Champions.

Final Score: 49ers Win 28-24 (1-0)

Week 2

vs Seattle - Ah the home opener, a game I am attending myself. 49ers usually start off well to open the season and I think this is a game they can and should take from the Seahawks, who at this point still are trying to build the chemistry with the new players they acquired from the off season. This game is where it pays off to have players like Shaun Hill, who strive to win no matter how it has to happen. I say the 49ers D comes up big in their home opener and the team wins.

Final Score: 49ers Win 17-12 (2-0)

Week 3

@Minnesota- Brett Farve, why did you have to bother? Viking always needed a big named and armed QB and now that they have one, and the best RB in the league they will be all but unstoppable at home. This game will not be pretty for the Niners who typically do not play well on the road against out of division. I will say they somewhat hold the Vikings down and make it close for a while, I don't even remember the last time the 9ers have won in Minnesota.

Final Score: Loss 24-13 (2-1)

Week 4

vs St Louis- Returning home to play the Rams should heal some of the wounds from a trip to Minnesota, I think the 9ers will be amped up to play the Rams who they beat twice last year. Rams are still suppose to be pretty bad at this point and will be struggling to find out who they are. Gore should have a nice big game and 9ers will roll.

Final Score: Win 21-10 (3-1)

Week 5

vs Atlanta- The good old rivals here! Haven't seen ATL in our place since Jamal Anderson was running. Atlanta was very much the surprise NFL team last year in the NFC South, but the thing about that division is that whoever was on top last year never seems to repeat...but this team has added talent and will stilll be good. Niners will struggle at home against them, I think Atlanta has too much and wins on a 4th quarter field goal.

Final Score: Loss 17-14 (3-2)

Week 6- Bye Week

Week 7

@Houston- Houston has been predicted to very well this year, they have loads of talent and play in a very tough division(who the 9ers play this year). I think that while they are loaded on talent that Houston doesn't seem like the scariest venue to play in. I do not think they are much better then an .500 team and yes, I think the 49ers D can handle them on the run making them have to pass to Andre Johnson, who I think will have a big game. I say 49ers get an early lead and hang on during a close game and since they had the bye week they will be well rested.

Final Score: Win 23-13 (4-2)

Week 8

@Indianapolis- Not really looking forward to this game, we typically get killed by Indy and I do not see this being any different...unless Manning sits this one out I am going to say the 9ers get spanked. They play terrible on the road against playoff teams. I will not be nice, 9ers get their butts kicked. I will say Singletary loses it after this game and gets the team to re-focus though.

Final Score: Loss 33-13 (4-3)

Week 9

vs. Tennessee - Ah the rewards of playing the AFC...I think the 9ers are more then ready for this game after playing and losing to the Colts. Lets say the 9ers hold back the rushing attack of Tennessee, they still have to deal with their stingy D. I think its a close one, but the 9ers just do not have enough to pull it out for the win.

Final Score: Loss 23-17 (4-4)

Week 10

vs. Chicago Bears - So yeah I don't know if you have seen the 9ers play the bears the last few years, but the Bears usually kicked the living shit out of us! BUT this one is on TV, this one is on our HOME TURF, and this one you know Singeltary wants to win. I think we have a tough low scoring game, hey look at the last 4 or so years..we always have one very low scoring home win. I will say we learned from getting beat by the Colts and Titans and man up to win this one and get back in the playoff hunt!

Final Score: WIN! 18-12 (5-4)

Week 11

@Green Bay- Playing in Lambeau Field is no fun, and it is sure to be cold there in late November. This game could be very close if the 9ers have to run the ball a lot. Gore and Coffee could run the Packers to a loss, but I just think the venue makes the game for the Packers and that they win in ugly fashion.

Final Score: Loss 17-10 (5-5)

Week 12

vs Jacksonville- The Jaguars! Another team you rarely see come and play in SF. I believe that at home after playing tougher teams the 9ers can pull this one out. It will be a low scoring game, probably mostly running by both teams. But I will say the 9ers win this one because it is at home and the Jags are mostly a running team.

Final Score: Win 13-7 (6-5)

Week 13

@Seatlle- Seahawks are not as bad as they looked last year...and at home I think this game will be close. I know the 9ers went into Seattle last year and had a crazy high scoring game but that was Mike Martz offense, now the 9ers are more run and I think they will have a better overall defense. I will have to say though, that this game looks like a loss for me. I think it will be some fluke big play that gets the Seahawks the win.

Final Score: Loss 14-13 (6-6)

Week 14

vs Arizona- After hanging around being 6-6 the 9ers season will most likely hang in the balance as they play the Cardinals. I think this is what separates this team from last years team, they have the coach will push them over the edge and make them pull out this game and giving them the tie-breaker against the Cardinals(who I think will be 9-7). The 9ers season will look all the more brighter when they take it to the Cardinals and win at home, giving them a winning record and pushing them into the playoff hunt..again.

Final Score: Win 23-21 (7-6)

Week 15

@Philadelphia - I think the Eagles are a great team this year, and this could be the worst loss of the season. Eagles loaded up on talent and at home...well lets just say it wont be too pretty! It is later in the season and both teams will be playing for the playoffs, so it will be intense but I just think the Eagles @home prove too much and they pull away from a close game after the half.

Final Score: Loss 31-14 (7-7)

Week 16

vs Detroit Lions- We beat up on the Lions last year, they have some talented players this time around but the niners are in the playoff hunt and just need this win bad. I think we handle the Lions with some ease and come out on top in this one. I will also go out on a limb and say this will be Matthew Staffords first start.

Final Score: Win 28-17 (8-7)

Week 17

@St Louis- Wait? We get to end the season playing the two worst teams from last year? Sweeeet!!! I think this is the game of the year for the 49ers, who handled the Rams twice last year. Yet I will say its going to be close, probably closer then most 9ers fans would like. Gore steps up and has a monster game and leads the team to the win almost by himself. Gore gets NFC player of the week honors, the niners win and make the playoffs! What a season!!